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Newark Ringrose Law: What to know about taking your child abroad as a separated parent




With the school holidays only a few weeks away it is important that as a separated parent you know your rights in relation to taking your children abroad for a holiday, writes Alex Beavis, children law solicitor with Ringrose Law.

You must have permission from everybody with parental responsibility for the child, or a court order, to enable you to take the child abroad.

If you have a child arrangements order in place that confirms you have residence of the child, you are able to take the child abroad for up to 28 days without permission, providing there is no court order that says you are not able to.

Alex Beavis, of Ringrose Law. (56102226)
Alex Beavis, of Ringrose Law. (56102226)

It would be advised that you inform the other person with parental responsibility with full travel details and provide addresses and contact details for you when you reach your accommodation.

A letter from the person with parental responsibility for the child is usually enough to show you’ve got permission to take them abroad.

You might be asked for the letter at a UK or foreign border, or if there’s a dispute about taking a child abroad. The letter should include the other person’s contact details and details about the trip.

It also helps if you have:

  • Evidence of your relationship with the child, for example, a birth or adoption certificate
  • A divorce or marriage certificate, if you are a single parent but your family name is different from the child’s
  • Get permission from a court

If the other person with parental responsibility will not give permission, then you can obtain a court order by applying to the court for a specific issue order.

You will need to provide full details of the trip, including full travel details and provide contact information for everybody that has parental responsibility for the child.

You will need to apply to a court for permission to take a child abroad if you haven’t got permission from the other people with parental responsibility.

You must give details of the trip, for example, the date of departure, when and how you’re returning, and contact details of people with parental responsibility staying in the UK.

You must give more information if you are taking the child abroad for a longer trip, such as what education the child will get while they’re abroad.

If you take a child abroad without permission, or without a court order; it is child abduction.

If you are unsure if you need to obtain a court order to take your child abroad, please contact Alex Beavis on 01636 594460 or visit her on Castlegate, Newark.



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